The evolution of US dollar bills

Banknotes are full-fledged art. There is even a competition for the title of the most beautiful banknote, and collectors will certainly tell you that bills are more than ordinary paper. Against the background of all, a dollar bravely stands out, which has changed its image many times in its history. Every note from the past is worthy of attention, because most of them are pretty darn stylish.
In 1776, the Continental Congress decided that it was time to issue the first official dollar bill. However, this did not prevent any bank or state from issuing its own currency. This happened until the 20th century, until the national currency became standardized. Now it is easily recognized anywhere in the world.
We tell and show how American money looked like before a portrait of Benjamin Franklin appeared on the hundred dollar bill.

1.

1$, 1770
This money entered the turnover from the mid 18th century.They were used in all 13 colonies of North America. Depending on the location, they were called either dollars or shillings. Banknotes were constantly forged, forcing the state to constantly strengthen currency protection. Real leaves were used for printing banknotes - they created a more complex pattern. In those days, fake money was punished with execution.

2.

50$, 1779
This is the US dollar, issued by the Continental Congress as the first national currency. The design is not much different from colonial money. An image of an unfinished pyramid appeared on the back side of the bill. The issue of banknotes cost the government $ 240 million, which led to monstrous inflation. By 1781, this money was completely depreciated.

3.

$ 5, 19th century
Some stability was restored only in 1792, when the Monetary Act was signed. With the printing of banknotes, the situation was tight, since their cost depended entirely on the institution in which they were printed. It turned out that for a $ 5 bill issued in a Tennessee bank, they were given only $ 4. The situation, of course, was deftly used by fraudsters, issuing fake banknotes in other banks.

4.

10$, 1862
The civil war was the next step in the development of paper money. To support the soldiers notes were printed in huge quantities. The states separated from the Union began to issue their new currencies. Just at that time, the dollar began to acquire its specific design - a two-color print and an ornamental frame were used.

5.

$ 10, 1862 (Union)
In 1862, a $ 50 million money printing law was signed. This money should have been fully secured by government securities. But their existence was short. A year later, they were withdrawn from circulation.

6.

$ 10, Greenback
At the end of the war, the financial system of the country entered a new stage of history, which was called the “golden age of banknote design”. In addition to greenbacks, Silver Certificates were published. They could be exchanged for coins and silver bars.

7.

Banknotes with Martha Washington, 1886
The year 1886 was remembered by the release of the banknote, which depicted the country's first lady, Martha Washington.

8.

Silver Certificate, 1892
In 1892, the "educational series" of banknotes dedicated to the World Exhibition was released. These bills were considered the most beautiful in the history of the development of US money.Columbia is shown on the $ 1 bill pointing the finger at the Washington Monument. The creation of banknotes used a huge number of complex artistic elements, thanks to which they became so popular.

9.

Silver certificate, 1896
Here are Martha and George Washington. Pay attention to the angels looking around.

10.

Silver certificate for $ 5, 1896
This bill depicts an allegorical scene known as “Electricity, Presenting the Light to the World.” The image demonstrates America's leadership in technological progress.

11.

Silver certificate for $ 5, 1899
Thanks to the Silver Certificates, the banknotes had beautiful edges and strong portraits. In addition to Silver, Gold Certificates were also published, sometimes reaching a value of $ 10,000. These notes were in circulation until 1933, when President Roosevelt banned the accumulation of gold from private individuals.

12.

Gold certificate for $ 500, 1865
The federal government began issuing Gold Certificates a few years before the Silver, but they were not so popular. In 1865, the earliest series of Gold Certificates appeared, it was published only in large denominations.

13.

George Washington on Gold Certificate, 1905
In the early years of the 20th century, the Americans saw a new, but at the same time very familiar note design. This time used 3 colors. The money of 1905 turned out so bright that they became widely known as the “technicolor series”.

14.

The reverse side of the Gold Certificate for $ 1,000
Alexander Hamilton was depicted on the front of this bill. The government continued to print gold certificates until 1934.

15.

100$, 1914
The design changed again when Congress passed the Federal Reserve Act in 1913. The front side depicted portraits of the late presidents, and the main colors were black, red and blue. This design has survived most of the XX century.

16.

5$, 1914
On the back of the banknotes depicted the iconic moments of American history. This Federal Reserve note, in denominations of $ 5, illustrates the struggles and problems of the early American settlers.

17.

10 000$, 1934
Seeing a man who has never been president on an American banknote is strange, but Samon Chase was an exception to the rule. Chase was secretary of the state treasury under Abraham Lincoln. He also proposed to place on the money the famous inscription "In God We Trust", which became the motto of the United States in 1956.
The notes were issued in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500 US dollars. Nowadays, the largest American bill is $ 100. They say it is done to prevent drug trafficking.

18.

100$, 1996
Cult redesign occurred in 1996. The size of the banknotes also changed: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 US dollars were born. Portraits of the presidents became larger and were slightly moved away from the center. Color-changing inks are used - this should prevent counterfeiters from doing their dirty work. However, it did not take a long time for one smart Chicagoan man to get around the obstacle and start printing very high-quality $ 100 bills right in his basement.